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Bicol Express Recipe

Bicol Express is a popular spicy Filipino dish wherein pork is cooked in coconut milk along with chili peppers.

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By: Vanjo Merano 30 Comments Updated: 4/27/25

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Bicol Express is a creamy stew that combines spice and sweetness in a well-balanced manner. The dish makes use of ginger and local seasonings resulting in a flavorful combination of meat and sauce.

Bicol Express Ingredients

Coconut milk adds a mild sweetness to the sharp flavors of chili pepper and bagoong in this Bicol Express recipe. This contrast has created a richness in taste for the dish, contributing to its popularity among Filipino dishes.

What is Bicol Express?

Bicol Express is a traditional Filipino dish. It is composed of pork that has been simmered in coconut milk. The dish has a creamy, savory, and spicy flavor profile.

It is an excellent dish for dinner parties or any other gathering where you would like to share a meal with friends and family.

History

Surprisingly, the origin of Bicol Express is credited to Manila, not Bicol. Despite claims from Bicol residents, it is widely accepted that the dish was created in Cely Kalawโ€™s restaurant in Manila, according to prominent figures in Philippine cooking.

In the 1960s, Kalaw decided to present a creamy dish with the slightest punch. After some struggle in entitling the dish, her ears caught the sound of the daily train headed to Bicol. And that was when she got the idea to name it after a train going the Manila-Naga route

This recipe aims to be a milder version of Laing, a local dish made from dried taro leaves with rich coconut milk.

Bicol Express quickly grew in popularity. And soon, the dish began popping up in several other dining establishments in the country. But what most people didnโ€™t know by then was that the dish did not exactly originate from the region in its own name.

A similar dish to Bicol Express from the region

Many Bicolanos assert that a recipe similar to Bicol Express originated in their region. Ginataang Sili, also known as Gulay na Lada, includes balao, a variant of shrimp paste, along with other comparable ingredients such as pork and coconut milk. It has been suggested that Kalaw may have drawn inspiration from Gulay na Lada, particularly to moderate the spiciness of her Laing recipe.

Some argue that Kalaw acknowledged drawing inspiration from Bicolano dishes but insist the name and recipe were her own kitchen experiments.

Ingredients for Bicol Express

Bicol Express Ingredients

Pork belly โ€“ This cut is used in the recipe due to its fat content, which helps keep the meat moist. Other cuts of pork, such as kasim or pork shoulder, can also be used as alternatives. Pork chops are suitable for Bicol express as well, demonstrated by my pork chop bicol express.

Coconut milk โ€“ This essential ingredient can be fresh, canned, or powdered based on availability.

Coconut cream โ€“ This ingredient is incorporated towards the final stages of the cooking process to enhance the sauce’s depth and richness.

Shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) โ€“ The main flavor source. Fresh or cooked bagoong can be used. Balao, a Filipino fermented shrimp condiment made by mixing small shrimp with salt and rice, then fermenting, is also an option.

Garlic โ€“ Crushed, chopped, or minced. This helps build the basic flavor of the dish.

Thai chili pepper โ€“ A hot chili pepper, 10 times spicier than Jalapeno. Siling Labuyo or birdโ€™s eye chili pepper works well for this recipe too.

Ginger โ€“ Crushed or minced, this contributes to the foundational flavors of the dish.

Onions โ€“ Enhance the depth of flavor in Bicol Express. Any variety is suitable.

Serrano pepper โ€“ long green peppers are great. Siling pansigang works well too.

Maggi Magic Sarap โ€“ This enhances the inherent flavors of the ingredients in the recipe while introducing umami to the dish.

How to cook Bicol Express (Summary)

How to cook bicol express
  1. Combine the ingredients together – Get ready to make the creamiest pork dish with a bit of a kick! Start by taking out your pan. Proceed by combining minced ginger, crushed garlic, chopped onion, sliced pork, chopped chili pepper, and coconut milk. Mix everything together before turning-on the heat.
  2. Simmer until the pork tenderizes – Turn on the heat and let it boil. Once the mixture boils, simmer it for around 50 minutes. You may add a cup of coconut cream and half of the bagoong alamang after this. Let the mixture cook using low heat until it reduces to a quarter.
  3. Add coconut cream and chili peppers – Afterwards, we will add the rest of the coconut cream and adjust the flavor by adding more bagoong if necessary. Also add the Serrano peppers or long green pepper.  Continue cooking in low heat until the sauce thickens.  
  4. Serve! – Make sure to serve this nice and hot, and you now have enough Bicol Express for 6! Also try serving it the traditional manner– with some steaming, white rice.
Pork in coconut milk

Useful Tips

Sauteeingย  – While this recipe suggest boiling everything together, you can also start by sauteeing the aromatics and pork. This will make your dish more flavorful. Start by sauteeing garlic, onion, and ginger until the onion softens. Add the pork afterwards and saute it for 2 minutes. Add the shrimp paste and then coconut milk. Simmer until tender and add the remaining ingredients.

Using other types of protein – Bicol express is not limited to pork. Chicken and beef can also be used. This beef bicol express recipe is a good example. Shrimp, squid, and fish works too. See this seafood bicol express recipe.

How spicy should it be? Ultimately, your tolerance for spice is what will determine how much chili peppers are in the dish. You can add more or fewer chili peppers to suit your tastes.

For instance, my family members do not all have the same level of tolerance for heat. Thus, if I want them to be able to enjoy the dish, I must add just a few chili peppers to it.

 

 

How to Make Bicol Express (Step by Step Photos)

1.Combine the pork belly with ginger, garlic, onion, peppers, shrimp paste, chili peppers, and coconut milk.

bicol express step 1

2. Stir the ingredients until well distributed.

Bicol Express Step 2

3. Cover the wok and let the coconut milk boil.

Bicol Express Step 3

4. Simmer for 50 to 60 minutes.

Bicol Express Step 4

4.1 Add water as needed.

Bicol Express Step 4.1

5. Add the coconut cream.

bicol express step 5

6. Season with Maggi Magic Sarap

Bicol Express Step 6

7. Continue simmering until the sauce thickens

bicol express step 7

8. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve with rice.

Bicol Express Step 8

What to Have with Bicol Express

Rice is the best side dish for such a creamy and savory dish. However, I also enjoy having it with the following dishes:

Grilled pork belly โ€“ I enjoy it with grilled meat. The rich, creamy sauce pairs well with pork belly.

Sinigang โ€“ During cold or rainy weather, sipping sinigang along with Bicol express can be a good combination.

Chop suey โ€“ A balance of protein ang vegetables is essential for a meal.

Is Bicol Express Nutritious?

This dish’s distinct bite and heat make it ideal for colder seasons, but people enjoy it year-round due to its high protein content and satisfying nature.

Pork is an excellent source of protein, niacin, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. A 3-ounce serving also provides zinc and potassium.

This dish not only offers meat but also coconut milk, which contains healthy micronutrients. These can reduce stomach ulcers and inflammation while providing protein and carbs for energy.

What does Bicol express taste like?

Bicol Express is a flavorful dish with a bold taste. The rich creaminess of coconut milk provides a smooth, slightly sweet balance to the dish’s heat. Tender pork pieces are coated in this creamy base, creating an indulgent feel. The fermented shrimp paste (bagoong) adds a deep umami flavor, giving the stew its savory depth.

The spice is bold due to chilies like Thai chili pepper and siling pansigang. The heat builds gradually, enhancing rather than overwhelming. Bicol Express combines spicy, creamy, salty, and savory flavors, making it complex and addictive. Paired with steamed white rice, itโ€™s a dish that keeps you coming back for more.

Bicol express bowl

Suggested Recipes

  • Korean Fried Chicken
  • Caldereta
  • Chili Oil

Did you enjoy the Bicol Express train ride and exploring this classic Filipino dish? Share your thoughts on this recipe and our other variations in the comments!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

Bicol Express Ingredients
5 from 4 votes

Bicol Express Recipe

This is a recipe for Bicol Express
Prep: 5 minutes minutes
Cook: 55 minutes minutes
Total: 1 hour hour
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. pork belly sliced into strips
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 2 cups coconut cream
  • 1/4 cup shrimp paste or salted Krill
  • 5 cloves garlic crushed
  • 5 pieces Thai chili pepper chopped
  • 2 thumbs ginger minced
  • 1 piece onion chopped
  • 2 pieces Serrano pepper sliced
  • 1 cup water optional
  • 8 grams Maggi Magic Sarap
US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Combine pork, ginger, garlic, onion, Thai chili pepper, long green pepper, and bagoong alamang, coconut milk in a pan. Mix well. Cover the pan and turn the heat to on. Let the mixture boil.
    2 lbs. pork belly, 2 cups coconut milk, 1/4 cup shrimp paste, 5 cloves garlic, 5 pieces Thai chili pepper, 2 thumbs ginger, 1 piece onion, 2 pieces Serrano pepper
  • Stir and adjust the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 50 minutes. Note: add water as necessary
    1 cup water
  • Add the remaining coconut cream and bagoong alamang (as needed). Season with Maggi Magic Sarap. Continue cooking in low heat until the sauce thickens (around
    2 cups coconut cream, 8 grams Maggi Magic Sarap
  • Transfer to a serving plate and serve with warm rice.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 6g Calories: 1224kcal (61%) Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) Protein: 23g (46%) Fat: 124g (191%) Saturated Fat: 68g (340%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g Monounsaturated Fat: 39g Cholesterol: 168mg (56%) Sodium: 248mg (10%) Potassium: 747mg (21%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 29IU (1%) Vitamin C: 8mg (10%) Calcium: 61mg (6%) Iron: 6mg (33%)
ยฉ copyright: Vanjo Merano

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Vanjo Merano

Vanjo Merano is the creator of PanlasangPinoy.com. His goal is to introduce Filipino Food and Filipino Cuisine to the rest of the world. This blog was the first step that he took.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Kevin May says

    Posted on 9/5/21 at 12:46 am

    5 stars
    YUM! absolutely delicious. I used 8 peppers instead of 6 and still felt it lacked spice, doing another batch with 12. Flavor overall is amazing.

    Reply
  2. Edil Alayon says

    Posted on 9/3/18 at 8:17 am

    Just new to view your recipes. It looks like my mother style of cooking. I learned to cook from her and now trying to learn from your recipes. I already try beef caldereta and I like the result of my cooking. Thank you for your site and I know that it helps slot to others wants to learn.

    Reply
    • Goriong Suanoi says

      Posted on 9/16/19 at 5:30 am

      Bicol Express (the dish) is simply “gulay na lada” for us Bicolanos (or ginataang sili). It was not invented by Ms. Cely Kalaw, but she merely coined the name Bicol Express for this dish to make it more attractive. Well, she was right, our lowly gulay na lada became a superstar in the restaurant industry of the Philippines. We have to thank Ms. Kalaw for that. She introduced it in her buffet restaurant, The Grove, located in Ermita. The Grove in itself was a superstar in the seventies and eighties (together with Kamayan). It was one of the first buffet restaurants in Manila.

      Reply
    • Galo meliton 6th says

      Posted on 12/22/19 at 8:04 am

      Thank you for sharing the article and the recipes. I tasted my first Bicol Express last night from a party and it was really โ€œrushedโ€ as she had no time to cook it due to time constraints, so I went home took some of it and added some more ingredients which I thought were lacking. It turned out fantastic! Love the recipe. God Bless!

      Reply
  3. Ernie Barde says

    Posted on 10/11/15 at 3:04 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing! PanlasangPinoy is one of the most popular website here in KSA . . More power to you & God bless!!!

    Reply
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